Chewable tablet containing lysine

ABSTRACT

A tablet with enhanced compliance by humans, in particular children and/or juveniles, comprising:  
     (a) a vitamin;  
     (b) lysine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;  
     (c) a sweetener; and  
     (d) a pharmaceutically or dietetically acceptable carrier.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of prior U.S. provisionalapplication Serial No. 60/332,693, filed Nov. 14, 2001, is herebyclaimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a tablet with enhancedcompliance by humans, in particular children and/or juveniles comprisingat least one vitamin, optionally at least one mineral, and lysine or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known that lysine as an essential amino acid enhancesappetite and, together with vitamin D₃, improves the absorption ofcalcium. The prior art dealing with lysine as nutritional supplement maybe best illustrated by the following references: A. A. Albanese et al.,NY State J. Med. 1955; 55, 3453-3456 describe lysine supplementation ininfant feeding. G. G. Graham et al., Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1969; 22 (11),1459-1468 describe the effect of lysine enrichment of wheat flour forthe evaluation in infants. R. Civitelli et al., Nutrition 1992; 8 (6),400-405, disclose the metabolism of (L)-lysine and calcium in humans. P.Fürst, Nutrition 1993; 9 (1), 71-72 suggests (L)-lysine as a nutritionaltool in the prophylaxis and treatment of osteoporosis. N. W. Flodin, J.Am. Coll. Nutr. 1997; 16 (1), 7-21, reviews the metabolic roles, thepharmacology and the toxicology of lysine.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need to provide humans, in particularchildren and/or juveniles, with lysine supplementation. However,children will hardly accept chewable tablets which contain effectiveamounts of lysine due to its disgusting taste. The problem underlyingthe present invention was to provide a lysine containing chewable tabletwhich is well accepted by children and/or juveniles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to a tablet with enhanced compliance byhumans comprising the following constituents:

[0006] (a) at least one vitamin,

[0007] (b) optionally at least one mineral,

[0008] (c) lysine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

[0009] (d) at least one sweetener and optionally at least one flavoringagent having the capability of masking the disgusting flavor of lysine,

[0010] (e) and a pharmaceutically or dietetically acceptable carrier.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of improvingthe physiological state of humans which method comprises administeringan effective amount of the tablet according to the present invention.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for themanufacture of a tablet according to the present invention which methodcomprises mixing of the different components (a) to (e) and tablettingby direct compression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention relates in particular to tablets to be sucked orchewed by children and/or juveniles wherein the disgusting taste causedby lysine is masked.

[0014] Specifically the subject matter of this invention providestablets intended for the oral way, to be sucked or to be chewed,containing as active ingredients lysine, one or more vitamins, andoptionally one or more minerals. Lysine is preferably provided in formof a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, in particular as (L)-lysinemonohydrochloride. Most preferably the tablet comprises 10 mg to 100 mg,in particular about 50 mg of (L)-lysine monohydrochloride per unitdosage.

[0015] Preferably component (a) comprises at least one vitamin selectedfrom the group consisting of retinol equivalents such as β-carotene orvitamin A, vitamin B such as vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, orvitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D such as vitamin D₃, vitamin E, folicacid, vitamin H, and vitamin PP.

[0016] The ranges of amounts of ingredients given hereinabove andhereinbelow relate to the declared amount of said ingredients andinclude appropriate stability overdosages.

[0017] Most preferably component (a) is a mixture of vitamins consistingessentially of 0.4 mg to 0.8 mg, in particular about 0.5 mg to 0.7 mg ofβ-carotene, 500 IU to 1500 IU, in particular about 700-1100 IU ofvitamin A palmitate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg, in particular about 0.4 mg to 0.6mg of vitamin B₁ nitrate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg, in particular about 0.5 mgto 0.7 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg, in particular about 0.5 mg to0.7 mg of vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, 0.4 μg to 1.0 μg, in particularabout 0.5 μg to 0.9 μg of vitamin B₁₂, 15 mg to 40 mg, in particularabout 20 mg to 30 mg of vitamin C, 100 IU to 300 IU, in particular about125 IU to 200 IU of vitamin D₃, 3.0 mg to 9.5 mg, in particular about4.0 mg to 6.5 mg of vitamin E acetate, 20 μg to 80 μg, in particularabout 40 μg to 70 μg of folic acid, 10 μg to 25 μg, in particular about14 μg to 21 μg of vitamin H, and 4 mg to 10 mg, in particular about 5 mgto 8 mg of vitamin PP per unit dosage.

[0018] Preferably component (b) comprises at least one mineral selectedfrom the group consisting of manganese such as manganese (II) gluconate,copper such as copper (II) carbonate, calcium such as dicalciumphosphate anhydrous, iron such as ferrous (II) fumarate, zinc such aszinc oxide and magnesium such as magnesium oxide.

[0019] Most preferably component (b) is a mixture consisting essentiallyof 0.2 mg to 0.8 mg, in particular about 0.4 mg to 0.6 mg of copper (II)carbonate, 150 mg to 300 mg, in particular about 200 mg to 250 mg ofdicalcium phosphate anhydrous, 8 mg to 20 mg, in particular about 11 mgto 14 mg of ferrous (II) fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg, in particular about 6mg to 7 mg of zinc oxide and 12 mg to 28 mg, in particular about 18 mgto 21 mg of magnesium oxide per unit dosage.

[0020] Preferably component (d) contains at least one sweetener selectedfrom the group consisting of calcium saccharinate, ammonium cyclamate,ammonium glycirhizinate, aspartame (N-L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine1-methylester), glucose and glucitols such as inositol, mannitol,sorbitol or dulcitol and at least one flavoring agent selected from thegroup consisting of natural citrus or orange flavor and PROSWEET®, whichis a commercially available natural flavoring.

[0021] Most preferably component (d) consists essentially of 1.0 mg to10.0 mg, in particular 4.0 mg to 8.0 mg of aspartame, 100.0 mg to 400.0mg, in particular 200.0 mg to 350.0 mg of glucose, 200 mg to 800 mg, inparticular 300 mg to 700 mg of sorbitol, 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg, inparticular 10.0 mg to 30.0 mg of natural orange flavor and 1.0 mg to10.0 mg, in particular 2.0 mg to 6.0 mg of PROSWEET® per unit dosage.

[0022] Preferably component (e) comprises at least one carrier selectedfrom the group consisting of diluents, excipients, sticking agents, bulkagents, preservatives, colorants and other pharmaceutical or foodprocessing agents.

[0023] Among the suitable excipients or diluents, it may particularly becited acidifying or buffering agents such as citric acid, urea, orglycine, bulk agents such or mannitol or sorbitol, adhering agents withlow speed of dissolution such as alkyl cellulose, for example, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or carboxy methyl cellulose or copolymers of methacrylic andacrylic acid; binding agents such as silicon dioxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, arabic gum, guar gum, adraganth gum, or karaya gum,lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, inert diluents such aslactose, gelatin, starch, mono- or diglyceride fatty acids, edible fat,sodium aluminium silicate, hydrogenated vegetable oil, calciumcarbonate, magnesium phosphate, or calcium sulfate; skim milk powder,and sodium caseinate.

[0024] Among the suitable colorants, it may particularly be citedTurmeric powder (E120), Carmine powder (E120), β-carotene and SunsetYellow (E110), Beetroot Red (E162), Erythrosine Red (E127), or acombination of these colorants.

[0025] Most preferred is a tablet which can be chewed or sucked withenhanced compliance by children and/or juveniles, preferably at an ageof 4 to 16, in particular 6 to 14 years comprising the followingconstituents:

[0026] (a) a mixture of vitamins consisting essentially of 0.4 mg to 0.8mg of β-carotene, 500 IU to 1500 IU of vitamin A palmitate, 0.3 mg to1.0 mg of vitamin B₁ nitrate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.3 mg to1.0 mg of vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, 0.4 μg to 1.0 μg of vitamin B₁₂, 15mg to 40 mg of vitamin C, 100 IU to 300 IU of vitamin D₃, 3.0 mg to 9.5mg of vitamin E acetate, 20 μg to 80 μg of folic acid, 10 μg to 25 μg ofvitamin H, and 4 mg to 10 mg of vitamin PP per unit dosage,

[0027] (b) a mixture of minerals consisting essentially of 0.2 mg to 0.8mg of copper (II) carbonate, 150 mg to 300 mg of dicalcium phosphateanhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg of ferrous (II) fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg ofzinc oxide and 12 mg to 28 mg of magnesium oxide per unit dosage,

[0028] (c) 10 mg to 100 mg of (L)-lysine monohydrochloride per unitdosage,

[0029] (d) a mixture of sweeteners and flavoring agents consistingessentially of 1.0 mg to 10.0 mg of aspartame, 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg ofglucose syrup, 200 mg to 800 mg of sorbitol, 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg ofnatural orange flavor and 1.0 mg to 10.0 mg of PROSWEET® per unitdosage;

[0030] (e) a pharmaceutically or dietetically acceptable carrier,

[0031] wherein the complete dosage unit weighs 500 mg to 2000 mg.

[0032] Another aspect of the present invention resides in a method ofimproving the physiological state of humans, in particular improving thedevelopment and growth of children and/or juveniles, most preferably atan age of 4 to 16 years comprising administering orally an effectiveamount of a tablet comprising the following constituents to said humans:

[0033] (a) at least one vitamin,

[0034] (b) optionally at least one mineral,

[0035] (c) lysine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

[0036] (d) at least one sweetener and optionally at least one flavoringagent having the capability of masking the disgusting flavor of lysine,and

[0037] (e) a pharmaceutically or dietetically acceptable carrier.

[0038] This invention also relates to a process for preparing thetablets according to this invention, which consists in the mixing orconjunction of the active ingredients (a), (b) and (c) with the tastemasking agent (d) and with one or several carriers (e) such as diluents,excipients, sticking agents, buffering agents, bulk agents, and/orlubricating agents, to realize a pharmaceutical form suitable to besuckled or chewed, such as tablets, or lozenges. This production isobtained according to the known methods of pharmaceutical technology.

[0039] The following examples are merely illustrative of the inventionwithout limiting it in any manner.

EXAMPLE 1: TABLETS TO BE SUCKED

[0040] EXAMPLE I Tablets to be Sucked Declared amount/tablet ComponentFunction [mg] Active Ingredients (a) + (c) (L)-lysine monohydrochioridessential amino acid 50.00 Betatab, 10% (E160a) vitamin 5.14 (0.514β-Carotene) Vitamin A palmitate (500000 IU/g) vitamin 1.43 (715 IU)Vitamin B₁ nitrate (thiamine mononitrate vitamin 1.50 (0.50 Vit. B₁nitrate) rocoat 33.3%) Vitamin B₂ (Riboflavin rocoat 33.3%) vitamin 1.65(0.55 Vit. B₂) Vitamin B₆ hydrochloride (Pyridoxine vitamin 1.65 (0.55Vit. B₆ hydrochloride rocoat 33.3%) hydrochloride) Vitamin B₁₂(Cyanocobalamin 0.1%) vitamin 0.60 (0.60 10⁻³ Vit. B₁₂) Vitamin C(Ascorbic acid 90%) vitamin 24.44 (22.0 Vit. C) Vitamin D₃(Cholecalciferol 100.000 IU/g) vitamin 1.50 (150 IU Vit. D₃) Vitamin Eacetate (50% d,l-α-tocopherol vitamin 10.43 (5.215 Vit. E acetate)acetate) Folic acid vitamin 0.05 Biotin vitamin 1.50 10⁻³ (15.0 10⁻³Vit. H) Vitamin PP (Nicotinamide rocoat 33.3%) vitamin 18.0 (6.0 Vit.PP) Minerals (b) Copper carbonate mineral 0.52 Dicalcium phosphateanhydrous mineral 220.64 Ferrous (II) fumarate (coated 60%) mineral12.68 Zinc oxide (coated 50%) mineral 6.25 Magnesium oxide, heavymineral 19.89 Taste mask (d) Aspartame powder sweetener 6.00 NaturalOrange Flavor flavor 22.00 Dextrose sweetener 275.00 PROSWEET ® flavor4.00 Sorbitol sweetener/carrier 597.44 Carrier (e) Citric acid acidifier50.00 Silicon dioxide, colloidal binder 14.00 Magnesium stearatelubricant 12.00 Hydrogenated vegetable oil diluent 25.00

[0041] Once the mixture of components (a), (b), (c) and (d) areperfectly homogenized, the carriers (e) are added thereto. The resultingpowder is screened then tableted by direct compression into tabletshaving a diameter of 16.0 mm, a thickness of 6.5 mm to 7.5 mm, a meanweight of about 1400 mg and a hardness of not more than 200 N.

[0042] These tablets show a good geometric stability. They swell into anexpanded form, practically equal to that of the starting tablet. Theyprogressively and completely release the active ingredients when incontact with saliva in the mouth.

EXAMPLE II Determination of the Acceptability of the Tablets Accordingto this Invention

[0043] The acceptability is determined on a group of 144 healthychildren (age 6 to 14 years) which received a tablet which correspondsto the recipe of example 1 containing 50 mg (L)-lysine hydrochloride.Each child chewed this tablet until it has been completely consumed. Thechildren are subsequently interviewed about the taste of the product.The same test is then repeated using different multi-vitaminpreparations (Prep A and Prep B) presently on the market which do notcontain lysine at all. The following results were obtained: Example 1Prep A Prep B (%) (%) (%) Observation of behavior: calmly chews thetablet, it 52 63 36 seems to taste well Likeability of the taste: verygood taste 33 45 18 good taste 28 23 26 Sweetness of tablets: sweetenough, just right 70 76 68 Sourness of tablets: too sour 29 18 39 nottoo sour 71 82 61 Feeling in the mouth after chewing: good 76 80 58 notso good 24 20 42 Interest in eating again: very interested 20 32 11quite interested 49 35 35

[0044] These results clearly show that the tablets according to thepresent invention despite the high content of (L)-lysine are in the samerange of acceptability as Prep A, but are much more acceptable than PrepB.

We claim:
 1. A tablet comprising: (a) a vitamin; (b) lysine or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (c) a sweetener; and (d) apharmaceutically or dietetically acceptable carrier.
 2. The tabletaccording to claim 1, further comprising a mineral.
 3. The tabletaccording to claim 1, further comprising a flavoring agent capable ofmasking the flavor of lysine.
 4. The tablet according to claim 2,further comprising a flavoring agent capable of masking the flavor oflysine.
 5. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein the vitamin isselected from the group consisting of: β-carotene, vitamin A palmitate,vitamin B₁ nitrate, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, vitamin B₁₂,vitamin C, vitamin D₃, vitamin E acetate, folic acid, vitamin H, andvitamin PP.
 6. The tablet according to claim 2, wherein the vitamin isselected from the group consisting of: β-carotene, vitamin A palmitate,vitamin B₁ nitrate, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, vitamin B₁₂,vitamin C, vitamin D₃, vitamin E acetate, folic acid, vitamin H, andvitamin PP.
 7. The tablet according to claim 3, wherein the vitamin isselected from the group consisting of: β-carotene, vitamin A palmitate,vitamin B₁ nitrate, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, vitamin B₁₂,vitamin C, vitamin D₃, vitamin E acetate, folic acid, vitamin H, andvitamin PP.
 8. The tablet according to claim 4, wherein the vitamin isselected from the group consisting of: β-carotene, vitamin A palmitate,vitamin B₁ nitrate, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, vitamin B₁₂,vitamin C, vitamin D₃, vitamin E acetate, folic acid, vitamin H, andvitamin PP.
 9. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein the vitamin is amixture of vitamins consisting essentially of: 0.4 mg to 0.8 mg ofβ-carotene, 500 IU to 1500 IU of vitamin A palmitate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mgof vitamin B₁ nitrate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mgof vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, 0.4 μg to 1.0 μg of vitamin B₁₂, 15 mg to40 mg of vitamin C, 100 IU to 300 IU of vitamin D₃, 3.0 mg to 9.5 mg ofvitamin E acetate, 20 μg to 80 fig of folic acid, 10 μg to 25 μg ofvitamin H, and 4 mg to 10 mg of vitamin PP per unit dosage.
 10. Thetablet according to claim 2, wherein the vitamin is a mixture ofvitamins consisting essentially of: 0.4 mg to 0.8 mg of β-carotene, 500IU to 1500 IU of vitamin A palmitate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₁nitrate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₆hydrochloride, 0.4 μg to 1.0 μg of vitamin B₁₂, 15 mg to 40 mg ofvitamin C, 100 IU to 300 IU of vitamin D₃, 3.0 mg to 9.5 mg of vitamin Eacetate, 20 μg to 80 μg of folic acid, 10 μg to 25 μg of vitamin H, and4 mg to 10 mg of vitamin PP per unit dosage.
 11. The tablet according toclaim 3, wherein the vitamin is a mixture of vitamins consistingessentially of: 0.4 mg to 0.8 mg of β-carotene, 500 IU to 1500 IU ofvitamin A palmitate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₁ nitrate, 0.3 mg to1.0 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, 0.4μg to 1.0 μg of vitamin B₁₂, 15 mg to 40 mg of vitamin C, 100 IU to 300IU of vitamin D₃, 3.0 mg to 9.5 mg of vitamin E acetate, 20 μg to 80 μgof folic acid, 10 μg to 25 μg of vitamin H, and 4 mg to 10 mg of vitaminPP per unit dosage.
 12. The tablet according to claim 4, wherein thevitamin is a mixture of vitamins consisting essentially of: 0.4 mg to0.8 mg of β-carotene, 500 IU to 1500 IU of vitamin A palmitate, 0.3 mgto 1.0 mg of vitamin B₁ nitrate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.3 mgto 1.0 mg of vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, 0.4 μg to 1.0 μg of vitamin B₁₂,15 mg to 40 mg of vitamin C, 100 IU to 300 IU of vitamin D₃, 3.0 mg to9.5 mg of vitamin E acetate, 20 μg to 80 μg of folic acid, 10 μg to 25μg of vitamin H, and 4 mg to 10 mg of vitamin PP per unit dosage. 13.The tablet according to claim 2, wherein the mineral is selected fromthe group consisting of: manganese (II) gluconate, copper (II)carbonate, calcium phosphate, ferrous (II) fumarate, zinc oxide, andmagnesium oxide.
 14. The tablet according to claim 4, wherein themineral is selected from the group consisting of: manganese (II)gluconate, copper (II) carbonate, calcium phosphate, ferrous (II)fumarate, zinc oxide, and magnesium oxide.
 15. The tablet according toclaim 6, wherein the mineral is selected from the group consisting of:manganese (II) gluconate, copper (II) carbonate, calcium phosphate,ferrous (II) fumarate, zinc oxide, and magnesium oxide.
 16. The tabletaccording to claim 8, wherein the mineral is selected from the groupconsisting of: manganese (II) gluconate, copper (II) carbonate, calciumphosphate, ferrous (II) fumarate, zinc oxide, and magnesium oxide. 17.The tablet according to claim 10, wherein the mineral is selected fromthe group consisting of: manganese (II) gluconate, copper (II)carbonate, calcium phosphate, ferrous (II) fumarate, zinc oxide, andmagnesium oxide.
 18. The tablet according to claim 12, wherein themineral is selected from the group consisting of: manganese (II)gluconate, copper (II) carbonate, calcium phosphate, ferrous (II)fumarate, zinc oxide, and magnesium oxide.
 19. The tablet according toclaim 2, wherein the mineral is a mixture of minerals consistingessentially of: 0.2 mg to 0.8 mg of copper (II) carbonate, 150 mg to 300mg of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg of ferrous (II)fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg of zinc oxide, and 12 mg to 28 mg of magnesiumoxide.
 20. The tablet according to claim 4, wherein the mineral is amixture of minerals consisting essentially of: 0.2 mg to 0.8 mg ofcopper (II) carbonate, 150 mg to 300 mg of dicalcium phosphateanhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg of ferrous (II) fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg ofzinc oxide, and 12 mg to 28 mg of magnesium oxide.
 21. The tabletaccording to claim 6, wherein the mineral is a mixture of mineralsconsisting essentially of: 0.2 mg to 0.8 mg of copper (II) carbonate,150 mg to 300 mg of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg offerrous (II) fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg of zinc oxide, and 12 mg to 28 mg ofmagnesium oxide.
 22. The tablet according to claim 8, wherein themineral is a mixture of minerals consisting essentially of: 0.2 mg to0.8 mg of copper (II) carbonate, 150 mg to 300 mg of dicalcium phosphateanhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg of ferrous (II) fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg ofzinc oxide, and 12 mg to 28 mg of magnesium oxide.
 23. The tabletaccording to claim 10, wherein the mineral is a mixture of mineralsconsisting essentially of: 0.2 mg to 0.8 mg of copper (II) carbonate,150 mg to 300 mg of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg offerrous (II) fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg of zinc oxide, and 12 mg to 28 mg ofmagnesium oxide.
 24. The tablet according to claim 12, wherein themineral is a mixture of minerals consisting essentially of: 0.2 mg to0.8 mg of copper (II) carbonate, 150 mg to 300 mg of dicalcium phosphateanhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg of ferrous (II) fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg ofzinc oxide, and 12 mg to 28 mg of magnesium oxide.
 25. The tabletaccording to claim 1, wherein lysine or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof comprises (L)-lysine monohydrochloride.
 26. The tabletaccording to one of claims 2 to 24, wherein lysine or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof comprises (L)-lysine monohydrochloride.
 27. Thetablet according to one of claims 1 to 24, wherein lysine or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof consists essentially of 10 mgto 100 mg of (L)-lysine monohydrochloride.
 28. The tablet according toclaim 1, wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of:calcium saccharinate, ammonium cyclamate, ammonium glycirhizinate,aspartame, glucose, and glucitols.
 29. The tablet according to claim 25,wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of: calciumsaccharinate, ammonium cyclamate, ammonium glycirhizinate, aspartame,glucose, and glucitols.
 30. The tablet according to claim 3, wherein theflavoring agent is selected from the group consisting of: natural citrusor orange flavor.
 31. The tablet according to claim 4, wherein theflavoring agent is selected from the group consisting of: natural citrusor orange flavor.
 32. The tablet according to claim 3, wherein: thesweetener consists essentially of 1.0 mg to 10.0 mg of aspartame, 5.0 mgto 50.0 mg of glucose syrup, and 200 mg to 800 mg of sorbitol, and theflavoring agent comprises 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg of natural orange flavor.33. The tablet according to claim 4, wherein: the sweetener consistsessentially of 1.0 mg to 10.0 mg of aspartame, 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg ofglucose syrup, and 200 mg to 800 mg of sorbitol, and the flavoring agentcomprises 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg of natural orange flavor.
 34. The tabletaccording to claim 1, wherein a pharmaceutically or dieteticallyacceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of: diluents,excipients, sticking agents, buffering agents, bulk agents, lubricatingagents, and colorants.
 35. A tablet comprising: (a) a mixture ofvitamins consisting essentially of: 0.4 mg to 0.8 mg of β-carotene, 500IU to 1500 IU of vitamin A palmitate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₁nitrate, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₂, 0.3 mg to 1.0 mg of vitamin B₆hydrochloride, 0.4 μg to 1.0 μg of vitamin B₁₂, 15 mg to 40 mg ofvitamin C, 100 IU to 300 IU of vitamin D₃, 3.0 mg to 9.5 mg of vitamin Eacetate, 20 μg to 80 μg of folic acid, 10 μg to 25 μg of vitamin H, and4 mg to 10 mg of vitamin PP, (b) a mixture of minerals consistingessentially of 0.2 mg to 0.8 mg of copper (II) carbonate, 150 mg to 300mg of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, 8.0 mg to 20 mg of ferrous (II)fumarate, 4 mg to 9 mg of zinc oxide and 12 mg to 28 mg of magnesiumoxide, (c) 10 mg to 100 mg of (L)-lysine monohydrochloride per unitdosage, (d) a mixture of sweeteners and flavoring agents comprising: 1.0mg to 10.0 mg of aspartame, 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg of glucose syrup, 200 mgto 800 mg of sorbitol, and 5.0 mg to 50.0 mg of natural orange flavor;(e) a pharmaceutically or dietetically acceptable carrier, wherein thetablet weighs 500 mg to 2000 mg.
 36. A method of improving thephysiological state of a human comprising administering orally to thehuman an effective amount of a tablet which can be chewed or suckedcomprising: (a) a vitamin; (b) lysine or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof; (c) a sweetener; and (d) a pharmaceutically ordietetically acceptable carrier.
 37. The method according to claim 36,wherein the tablet further comprises a mineral.
 38. The method accordingto claim 36, wherein the tablet further comprises a flavoring agentcapable of masking the flavor of lysine.
 39. The method according toclaim 37, wherein the tablet further comprises a flavoring agent capableof masking the flavor of lysine.
 40. A method of improving thedevelopment and growth of a child or juvenile comprising administeringorally to the child or juvenile an effective amount of a tablet whichcan be chewed or sucked comprising: (a) a vitamin; (b) lysine or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (c) a sweetener; and (d) apharmaceutically or dietetically acceptable carrier.
 41. The methodaccording to claim 40, wherein the tablet further comprises a mineral.42. The method according to claim 40, wherein the tablet furthercomprises a flavoring agent capable of masking the flavor of lysine. 43.The method according to claim 41, wherein the tablet further comprises aflavoring agent capable of masking the flavor of lysine.